Former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko is considered one of, if not the best, fighters to ever step foot inside the cage.

However, detractors argue that the legacy of "The Last Emperor" is tarnished since he never competed for the UFC in 40 professional fights.

Speaking through a translator on WHOA! TV, the 37-year-old Russian fan favorite explained why he never made his way to the world's premiere MMA organization, putting the blame on UFC President Dana White (transcription via MMA Fighting).

In my opinion, everything was in Dana White's hands. Because at that moment, I just felt like 'this guy, he just hates us.' Like, personally to [me]. There were insults coming from Dana White all the time. There were many very loud things said, but for real nothing happened. It was [all talk].

After Emelianenko made his debut with Strikeforce in November 2009, the No. 2 MMA promotion at the time, and scoring a TKO over Brett Rogers, it seemed logical that the UFC would come calling some time soon.

Apparently, Emelianenko inside the Octagon just wasn't meant to be as he then went through the worst stretch of his career, getting finished in three consecutive bouts.

In one of the biggest upsets in combat sports, highly regarded Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Fabricio Werdum submitted the seemingly untouchable Fedor in June 2010, earning a tapout via a triangle armbar.

The bout marked the first time Fedor had lost in nearly a decade and the first time he was finished decisively.

After suffering back-to-back TKOs to Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and Dan Henderson, Emelianenko fought the last three bouts of his career outside of the United States, adding three more clear-cut victories to his resume before calling it a career last summer.

While Emelianenko never made it to the UFC roster, he defeated a number of UFC mainstays in his career including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), Mark Coleman (twice), Mark Hunt, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Andrei Arlovski, to name a few.

Who was truly to blame for the legendary Fedor never making it to the UFC: his management team, White or a combination of the two?

Obviously I can't speak on who's fault it is, only a handfull of people probably really know the whole story. But I do think his management team were goofs for demanding the UFC co-promote with M1-Global or whatever it's called in order for Fedor to agree to fight in the UFC. I'm sure he could have made more money in the UFC than anywhere especially if the fight with him and Brock Lesnar would have been made.

The Best Around

10-14-2013 09:03 PM

I blame both Fedor and the UFC. If everyone was realistic and put their egos aside, things would have been done. It's too bad we never got Fedor in the UFC, as Brock defending the title against Fedor in 2009/2010 would have been surreal.

Obviously I can't speak on who's fault it is, only a handfull of people probably really know the whole story. But I do think his management team were goofs for demanding the UFC co-promote with M1-Global or whatever it's called in order for Fedor to agree to fight in the UFC. I'm sure he could have made more money in the UFC than anywhere especially if the fight with him and Brock Lesnar would have been made.

rant

And he would have retire with some dignity. Had Fedor joined with Nog and HH, and other HWs he would have racked up a few losses early on, but that's okay. He would have been pursuing the best. instead he chose to record protect, and take easy fights, many of which he ended up losing anyway. Perhaps the most humiliating was him taking on a natural MW in Henderson, and getting KO'd.

The UFC was brilliant in turning down Fedor and M1 demand to co-promote. He would have been expensive and would have given them no draw power whatsoever especially after he started falling to various HW's. Just look at how he drained every other promotion he went to. The guy never deserved the ranking he had for several years at the end of his career. He wasn't even top 5, but kept going up against washed out opponents that also were given inflated rankings. It was a big mess of nostalgic MMA fans and news organizations wanting to make him out to be something he was not.

Fedor went out trying to protect his record and failed. That's his legacy. Props to the UFC for rejecting him. And BTW, stop blaming M1 for what happened. Fedor was M1 and M1 was Fedor.

/rant

kickstar

10-15-2013 06:36 AM

Soojooko

10-15-2013 07:16 AM

The only person who said M1 wanted to fully co-promote was Dana. When M1 we're interviewed about it, they said they wanted to co-promote in their HOME REGIONS ONLY = a totally reasonable request, and the version of events I choose to believe.

M1 are dodgy. M1 have Fedor hostage. M1 are the mafia. All a load of Dana White bullshit pushed by the western media, that we all swallow and ask for seconds.

Joabbuac

10-15-2013 07:17 AM

You find that request reasonable? UFC do not need M1, it only really benefits M1, UFC were not willing to give them that for just 1 fighter.

Soojooko

10-15-2013 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joabbuac
(Post 2338761)

You find that request reasonable? UFC do not need M1, it only really benefits M1, UFC were not willing to give them that for just 1 fighter.

Its totally reasonable that a Russian based MMA organization, that have spent years growing their own regional shows, would want co-promotion in their own home regions. Getting Fedor would have given the UFC a huge leg up in asian exposure = something the UFC very much needed at the time.

Nobody from M1 suggested the UFC should co-promote with them in US or European shows. But if they had Fedor fighting in Russia, you are damn straight the UFC should co-promote. There really should be no argument.

DonRifle

10-15-2013 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soojooko
(Post 2338745)

The only person who said M1 wanted to fully co-promote was Dana. When M1 we're interviewed about it, they said they wanted to co-promote in their HOME REGIONS ONLY = a totally reasonable request, and the version of events I choose to believe.

M1 are dodgy. M1 have Fedor hostage. M1 are the mafia. All a load of Dana White bullshit pushed by the western media, that we all swallow and ask for seconds.

Ever done business with Russians before? You might be singing a different tune if you had!

Soojooko

10-15-2013 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonRifle
(Post 2338793)

Ever done business with Russians before? You might be singing a different tune if you had!

Actually, ive made quite bit of money through Russian publishers.

DonRifle

10-15-2013 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soojooko
(Post 2338801)

Actually, ive made quite bit of money through Russian publishers.

Im going to put that down to luck! Not everyone is in the vodka literary field like you!
I can count 4 times dealing with russian business people in the last 5 years. Each time they have gone back on their word and tried to change everything after verbal agreements. I now have a no business with Russians policy!